Let it snow, let it snow...
We're up in the Bronx, on the 19th floor of a highrise that's already standing on one of the highest points in NYC, with wrap-around views to the southeast, east, and north. When it snows the way it did yesterday, it's like looking at a giant snow shaker that contains a detailed replica of the city. It was a perfect day to be indoors, passing the time quietly (nothing was moving outside) with good books and a bottle of wine, and listening to a laid-back mostly jazz set - 5 discs on full random. Here's the mix:
1. Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall. A long title for a great set, one of the "discoveries" of the last couple of years. This would have been a classic had it been issued when it was recorded; the recent unearthing makes it even more important. I'm not sure how much Trane took away from his short working time with Monk, but on this album he settles into Monk's groove and then stretches it out at one end while Monk nails it down at the other.
2. Charlie Parker with Strings: The Master Takes. Bird said this was one of his favorite recordings. It's loungy and over-arranged (think Hugh Hefner's idea of hip), but Parker brings such lyricism and invention to the standards that make up the set that he takes it to another plane entirely. It's as deceptively light as fine French pastry.
3. Oscar Peterson for Lovers. One of the Verve "for Lovers" series that compiles romantic tracks from sundry recordings. This one centers on the Peterson-Brown-Thigpen trio, and adds sit-ins from Herb Ellis, Clark Terry, Milt Jackson, and Bill Henderson (singing "I've Got A Crush on You"). Peterson's normally a little too Art Tatumish for me (I'm more Monk/Bud Powell/McCoy Tyner when it comes to piano), but this is tasty. Mrs. DjStan and I both like hanging out at bars; this would be a fine house band.
4. One Quiet Night - Pat Metheny. Metheny at his mellowest (which is close to total melt-down). This is a solo album, and Metheny plays a baritone guitar with a deep, resonant timbre. Some nice originals, and a surprisingly lovely cover of the old Gerry and the Pacemakers hit, "Ferry Cross the Mersey" (someone said the band's name is now "Gerry's Got A Pacemaker").
5. Mambo Sinuendo - Ry Cooder, Manuel Galban. See below. I'm just loving this one.
1. Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall. A long title for a great set, one of the "discoveries" of the last couple of years. This would have been a classic had it been issued when it was recorded; the recent unearthing makes it even more important. I'm not sure how much Trane took away from his short working time with Monk, but on this album he settles into Monk's groove and then stretches it out at one end while Monk nails it down at the other.
2. Charlie Parker with Strings: The Master Takes. Bird said this was one of his favorite recordings. It's loungy and over-arranged (think Hugh Hefner's idea of hip), but Parker brings such lyricism and invention to the standards that make up the set that he takes it to another plane entirely. It's as deceptively light as fine French pastry.
3. Oscar Peterson for Lovers. One of the Verve "for Lovers" series that compiles romantic tracks from sundry recordings. This one centers on the Peterson-Brown-Thigpen trio, and adds sit-ins from Herb Ellis, Clark Terry, Milt Jackson, and Bill Henderson (singing "I've Got A Crush on You"). Peterson's normally a little too Art Tatumish for me (I'm more Monk/Bud Powell/McCoy Tyner when it comes to piano), but this is tasty. Mrs. DjStan and I both like hanging out at bars; this would be a fine house band.
4. One Quiet Night - Pat Metheny. Metheny at his mellowest (which is close to total melt-down). This is a solo album, and Metheny plays a baritone guitar with a deep, resonant timbre. Some nice originals, and a surprisingly lovely cover of the old Gerry and the Pacemakers hit, "Ferry Cross the Mersey" (someone said the band's name is now "Gerry's Got A Pacemaker").
5. Mambo Sinuendo - Ry Cooder, Manuel Galban. See below. I'm just loving this one.
posted by DJStan at 7:40 AM
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